While this takes away the worry about resort availability, it also ties you down to that particular week every year. Also fixed weeks are typically more difficult to exchange.

In a floating week system, you buy a given number of weeks for a period or season, from which you choose your preferred weeks in advance. This gives you more flexibility for use and also for trade.

In both the above cases, make sure you buy weeks for an average or high demand season and at a good resort. This will make your timeshares that much more viable on the exchange table.

In a points system you buy a certain number of points or credits for

All discerning buyers gather all information regarding any purchase before actually buying. So why would prospective timeshare owners be any different?

The gamut of timeshare FAQs cover the basic question regarding what a timeshare means to the more complicated ones about fees, exchange facilities, resale and legalities involved. Timeshare FAQs on the Internet provide a one-stop information point for information on timeshares. Other sources for facts on timeshares are the timeshare resort brochures, the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and brokers among others.

Typical timeshare FAQs and brief information on these questions are given below:

What is Timeshares?
Timeshares are contracts for ownership of vacation properties. A company that has purchased the property lets many people like you own the property for different periods of time, thus jointly paying for its use and maintenance.

What's the difference between timeshare and vacation ownership?
Fact is, there is no real difference between the two. Timeshare has many variants based on the same fundamental concept. Vacation ownership is just another name for timeshares, others being holiday ownership and club time. But what’s in a name really??

Can I sell my timeshare if I don't want it anymore?
Selling timeshares can be tricky as the supply is much more than the demand. It is not impossible though as long as you are not looking to make profit while you are at it. You must price your timeshares competitively, advertise well and in the meanwhile try to make the most of your timeshares.

How much should I pay for timeshare?
Once you have decided on the type of resort and season you would like to buy, survey the available deals on the Internet, through brokers or resorts. Check for similar units and seasons to compare prices from different sources. If the quoted prices are near about what prospective sellers are willing to settle for, you may consider it the true value of the timeshare.

Where should I buy timeshares?
You can buy timeshares directly from the resorts, ARDA members, private sellers or resellers for varying durations in different modes of contract. Buy into a good resort and buy weeks that are typically in demand. But try to visit the property to verify all that the salesperson or the brochures claim is true.

What is the difference between a fixed week, a floating week, and a points-based system? A fixed week gives you ownership of a particular week at a resort every year. While this takes away the worry about resort availability, it also ties you down to that particular week every year. Also fixed weeks are typically more difficult to exchange.

In a floating week system, you buy a given number of weeks for a period or season, from which you choose your preferred weeks in advance. This gives you more flexibility for use and also for trade.

In both the above cases, make sure you buy weeks for an average or high demand season and at a good resort. This will make your timeshares that much more viable on the exchange table.

In a points system you buy a certain number of points or credits for a

rmation on these questions are given below:

What is Timeshares?
Timeshares are contracts for ownership of vacation properties. A company that has purchased the property lets many people like you own the property for different periods of time, thus jointly paying for its use and maintenance.

What's the difference between timeshare and vacation ownership?
Fact is, there is no real difference between the two. Timeshare has many variants based on the same fundamental concept. Vacation ownership is just another name for timeshares, others being holiday ownership and club time. But what’s in a name really??

Can I sell my timeshare if I don't want it anymore?
Selling timeshares can be tricky as the supply is much more than the demand. It is not impossible though as long as you are not looking to make profit while you are at it. You must price your timeshares competitively, advertise well and in the meanwhile try to make the most of your timeshares.

How much should I pay for timeshare?
Once you have decided on the type of resort and season you would like to buy, survey the available deals on the Internet, through brokers or resorts. Check for similar units and seasons to compare prices from different sources. If the quoted prices are near about what prospective sellers are willing to settle for, you may consider it the true value of the timeshare.

Where should I buy timeshares?
You can buy timeshares directly from the resorts, ARDA members, private sellers or resellers for varying durations in different modes of contract. Buy into a good resort and buy weeks that are typically in demand. But try to visit the property to verify all that the salesperson or the brochures claim is true.

What is the difference between a fixed week, a floating week, and a points-based system? A fixed week gives you ownership of a particular week at a resort every year. While this takes away the worry about resort availability, it also ties you down to that particular week every year. Also fixed weeks are typically more difficult to exchange.

In a floating week system, you buy a given number of weeks for a period or season, from which you choose your preferred weeks in advance. This gives you more flexibility for use and also for trade.

In both the above cases, make sure you buy weeks for an average or high demand season and at a good resort. This will make your timeshares that much more viable on the exchange table.

In a points system you buy a certain number of points or credits for

ell my timeshare if I don't want it anymore?
Selling timeshares can be tricky as the supply is much more than the demand. It is not impossible though as long as you are not looking to make profit while you are at it. You must price your timeshares competitively, advertise well and in the meanwhile try to make the most of your timeshares.

How much should I pay for timeshare?
Once you have decided on the type of resort and season you would like to buy, survey the available deals on the Internet, through brokers or resorts. Check for similar units and seasons to compare prices from different sources. If the quoted prices are near about what prospective sellers are willing to settle for, you may consider it the true value of the timeshare.

Where should I buy timeshares?
You can buy timeshares directly from the resorts, ARDA members, private sellers or resellers for varying durations in different modes of contract. Buy into a good resort and buy weeks that are typically in demand. But try to visit the property to verify all that the salesperson or the brochures claim is true.

What is the difference between a fixed week, a floating week, and a points-based system? A fixed week gives you ownership of a particular week at a resort every year. While this takes away the worry about resort availability, it also ties you down to that particular week every year. Also fixed weeks are typically more difficult to exchange.

In a floating week system, you buy a given number of weeks for a period or season, from which you choose your preferred weeks in advance. This gives you more flexibility for use and also for trade.

In both the above cases, make sure you buy weeks for an average or high demand season and at a good resort. This will make your timeshares that much more viable on the exchange table.

In a points system you buy a certain number of points or credits for

near about what prospective sellers are willing to settle for, you may consider it the true value of the timeshare.

Where should I buy timeshares?
You can buy timeshares directly from the resorts, ARDA members, private sellers or resellers for varying durations in different modes of contract. Buy into a good resort and buy weeks that are typically in demand. But try to visit the property to verify all that the salesperson or the brochures claim is true.

What is the difference between a fixed week, a floating week, and a points-based system? A fixed week gives you ownership of a particular week at a resort every year. While this takes away the worry about resort availability, it also ties you down to that particular week every year. Also fixed weeks are typically more difficult to exchange.

In a floating week system, you buy a given number of weeks for a period or season, from which you choose your preferred weeks in advance. This gives you more flexibility for use and also for trade.

In both the above cases, make sure you buy weeks for an average or high demand season and at a good resort. This will make your timeshares that much more viable on the exchange table.

In a points system you buy a certain number of points or credits for

While this takes away the worry about resort availability, it also ties you down to that particular week every year. Also fixed weeks are typically more difficult to exchange.

In a floating week system, you buy a given number of weeks for a period or season, from which you choose your preferred weeks in advance. This gives you more flexibility for use and also for trade.

In both the above cases, make sure you buy weeks for an average or high demand season and at a good resort. This will make your timeshares that much more viable on the exchange table.

In a points system you buy a certain number of points or credits for a unit size and a particular period of the year, which can then be used like cash to purchase time, unit size, and the resort of your choice. Moreover, these points can also be used to purchase cruises, airline tickets and can be used in hotels etc.

Can I and/or should I buy resale?
The answer is yes to both. There are many private resellers as well as resale companies selling timeshare resales so buying resale should not be a problem as the resale market is very popular. Timeshare resales are typically cheaper than the original market price. However, make sure that the timeshares on resale meet your expectations and the claims of the reseller.

Do I have to go to the same timeshare resort every year?
With timeshare exchange programs, you no more have to go to the same resort every year. If your timeshare weeks have sufficient trade power by way of season, location etc. you can exchange your week at the home resort for any of the thousands of resorts across the world!!

How do I transfer timeshare ownership?
A timeshare transfer is a real estate contract and should be detailed. Therefore, it is advisable to hire an attorney or an escrow company. You will have to provide the necessary documents depending on the type of your ownership. Also a certain transfer fee may have to be paid to the resort for changing the ownership.

How popular are timeshares today?
Timeshares are becoming increasingly popular as people around the world have lesser and lesser time to plan vacations every year and as the need for variety is increasing. Timeshares are a cost-effective, flexi-vacation program and which by the looks of it is poised to grow at a rapid rate.

What are the benefits of timeshares?
Timeshares enable you to vacation at swanky resorts at fancy locations at a fraction of what it would cost if you were to buy it outright while you enjoy the tax benefits of owning a second home! Not only can you use the time you buy, you can also allow others to use it, either by renting it out or gifting it.

With the most vital questions regarding timeshares answered, you are now ready to plunge into the timeshare market and come out tops!!